Since the Virgin Islands are considered the finest sailing waters in the world, there must be an organization that allows the charter boats to get the biggest bang for the buck on the internet. Yes, there is such an organization – and the staff are really fun people! It is The Virgin Island Charter League based in St. Thomas, USVI.

Since 1968 the VICL has been the professional association representing the crewed yacht industry in the Virgin Islands. Each year they produce their annual boat show in the Virgin Islands. This year’s boat show is November 7 – 10, 2007 at Yacht Haven Grande.  This is the forum that best charter boats in the Caribbean show up to have the charter vacation brokers preview them and their crews – both mono-hulls and catamarans. The charter brokers are then able to compile their list of their favorite yachts they will recommend for the upcoming charter sailing season. An example of one of these spectacular floating “bed and breakfast” yachts is Sabore. 

The VICL has a huge impact on the economy of the Virgin Islands because of the amount of tourists that book this unforgettable vacation one or two weeks a year. I love these sailing vacation adventures.

So, I am hanging out at the Beach Bar at Cruz Bay, St.John, drinking an carib beer, and talking to a “newbie” to the island. He is looking for a crew position on ANY boat. I ask him what his qualifications are and he hands me a 3 X 5 card with the following poem that he is giving out to boat captains in the bay.

What do you think? Will he actually get a crew position using this marketing piece? I’m going to track this young dreamer and see what happens.
 

A Tropical Perspective
 
Down in the Caribbean I don’t speak,

I sing - my heart growing strings.

Down In the Caribbean I don’t see I paint,

my hands sprouting leaves.

Down in the Caribbean I am a bird, a fish,

a fruit a river, a green mountain range,

and carved stone the sun

Up here I am just a voice that clamors bounces

off concrete.
 
I am a tropical person who must spend time in the Caribbean. Any crew positions open? I am willing to sail anywhere! Contact me at…..

And now a word from..

As I strolled by Duffie’s Love Shack in Red Hook,  St. Thomas,  I discovered another entertaining posting on one of the pillars holding up the thatched roof of the bar.   It is a perfect description of the objectives one has when they are in the Caribbean. Enjoy!

Virgin Islands Daily Activities:

• I will put first things last
• I will study a sunset
• I will be naked more
• I will discover a color
• I will memorize clouds
• I will take a nap
• I will see something beautiful
• I will be amphibious
• I will eat a mango
• I will get a really good tan